It can be a little overwhelming when it comes to doing what’s best for your hair. Is it bad to wash it daily? Why use a conditioner? What about the long-term impact of using hot tongs?

But first things first. Proper, regular brushing of your hair keeps your scalp clean, roots strong and gives your hair a natural shine. A useful tip for ladies with long hair is to give it a good brush before bed and then sleep with it in a loose plait/plaits, which keeps the hair from knotting up when you toss and turn in your sleep. A “detangle” brush is a wise buy, which you can pick up in any pharmacy.

If you are finding your hair looks dull and dry, then a nice treat is to make your own mask to boost and nourish. Take four teaspoons of almond oil, half an avocado mushed up, two teaspoons of coconut oil, three teaspoons of runny honey and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Mix the ingredients into a large bowl and apply to wet hair. Massage the hair mask into your hair and comb through to the ends. Leave on for 20 minutes so the ingredients can work deeply into the hair and scalp. Wash off the mask in hot water with a good dollop of your regular shampoo.

If you do have fine hair, try to give it a break from constantly washing and drying and let it dry naturally whenever you can. Dry shampoo works a treat if you get greasy roots, such as Batiste Dry Shampoo, €3.99 from stockists including www.boots.ie. Dry shampoo uses alcohols or starch-based active ingredients to soak up the oils and sweat in the hair. Removing the oils from your hair makes it appear cleaner and makes the hair smell fresh between washes as the spray is lightly fragranced and will make the hair appear thicker.

To stop curly hair looking frizzy, try New Look V05 texturising gum extra hold – a super unisex product. A dollop of this gum rubbed onto hands to warm it up and then gently scrunched into the hair will give your curls a light hold, definition and texture. This can be purchased from stockists including www.inishpharmacy.com for €4.25.

If you need to revive your blonde for a few more weeks between hair appointments, a great shampoo to help maintain your colour is Eleven Australia’s keep my blonde shampoo at €18 from www.elevenaustralia.ie. Just apply to dry hair and leave for five minutes, then lather and rinse. This shampoo will give the hair colour a new lease of life until your next hair appointment.

If you’re having trouble with grey hairs through, a handy helper is L’Oréal instant root concealer spray, a really quick and easy touch-up colour, from stockists including www.mccabespharmacy.com for €10. Apply to dry, brushed hair. Part the hair into sections and after shaking the product well, simply spray the grey away by holding the spray about six inches from the hair. Don’t spray too close to your scalp and use small side-to-side movements with your finger firmly on the spray button. Let the colour dry and lightly brush through the hair.

I believe that proper hair care is so important. Just putting a little time and effort into maintaining and caring for your hair, a good cut, a quick blow dry or a few natural highlights around the front of your face will make you feel and look great. Making the best of your hair will enhance your natural beauty and give you confidence.

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